It was His Lordship, dead to the world, snoring, with wide-open mouth.

"The sergeant was right," said Hal. "His Lordship can sleep anywhere."

Almost at this moment there came a warning from without.

"Germans approaching in force, sir," cried the sergeant, poking his head in the door.

And at that moment there came a clattering of horses' hoofs, and a moment later a French officer entered the room.

"General Joffre orders you to fall back, sir!" he said.

CHAPTER XVII.

A FIGHT FOR A BED.

With a word to the sergeant to order an immediate retreat, Hal crossed the room and shook His Lordship roughly.

"Get up!" he shouted.